The original F-16 was designed as a lightweight air-to-air day fighter. Air-to-ground missions immediately transformed the first production F-16s into multirole fighters. The F-16s that followed expanded and refined these roles with beyond-visual-range missiles, infrared sensors, precision-guided munitions, and a plethora of other capabilities. Current and planned versions of the F-16 build on these refinements, enhancing capabilities even further.

Visitors to Gwangju AB see a training operation in full swing. T-50s populate the ramps and shelters at the 203rd Squadron. The wing expects to have two training squadrons flying a total of fifty Golden Eagles by 2009.

Standing behind the F-35 test aircraft, 5,000-plus sorties, and 10,000 flight test hours associated with the SDD phase of the Joint Strike Fighter is a large group of dedicated professionals from the Flight Test department. Code One interviewed several of these professionals to get their perspectives on F-35 flight testing.